Former Burnley midfielder Wade Elliott has joined Stoke City as academy assistant manager of the under-23s. He will operate as number two to Glyn Hodges in that vital link between youth and first team.

Elliott has been working as assistant academy manager at Conference League side Forest Green Rovers, previous to that as the under 21 manager of Bristol City who at the time were managed by former Burnley manager Steve Cotterill.

Having started his career at non-league Bashley he then moved to the south coast and had a five-year stint at AFC Bournemouth between 2000 and 2005. A to Turf Moor followed were he made 250 appearances for the Clarets in six seasons, scoring the winning goal at Wembley to take the club into the Premier League.

Elliott, then made the switch to Birmingham City in 2011 for three seasons before seeing out his career at Bristol City and then moving to their backroom staff. After leaving Ashton Gate he had a spell as assistant academy manager at Forest Green before today joining Stoke City in the same role.